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CLASSIC KAWASAKI 2-STROKES

The Kawasaki Triples Bible covers the entire production of three-cylinder two-strokes from 1967 to 1980, featuring a year-by-year breakdown of bike specs, including the KH250, 350 S2, KH400, H1 500 and H2 750 models. Illustrated with hundreds of archive photographs and period adverts, plus personal memories from some of the racers and tuners who got the best from the fearsome H1 500 and H2 750 machines of the 60s and 70s, this is an invaluable resource for any collector or restorer of these fabulous motorcycles.

With information provided by Kawasaki Museum, acknowledged experts such as Rick Brett and Dave Marsden, and lifelong Kawasaki triples owners, it defines the enduring appeal of the models. It also contains excellent tips on spares, tuning, rebuilds etc., and captures the very essence of what made the Kawasaki triples the most rebellious two-strokes of their time.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the parent company of the motorcycle division, is one of the largest industrial companies in the world making the motorcycle part of the business somewhat of a sideline. The company began as a shipyard 1878 founded by Shozo Kawasaki. Prior to World War I it had branched out to produce locomotives, marine transportation, steel, aircraft and engines. After World War II, all divisions had work except the aircraft plant which still had skilled workers and production equipment.

The plant began to produce motorcycle parts for other makers but in 1958 they decided to produce their own motorcycle. After much initial success in the Japanese motocross racing circuit, Kawasaki reluctantly chose to export as the Japanese market was flooded with lightweight motorcycles.
With small displacement engines and nothing to set them apart from their competition resulted in disappointing sales in North America. Kawasaki knew that speed was important in the North American market but concluded that acceleration was key. In 1967 they released the twin cylinder two stroke 250cc Samurai and later released the larger twin 350cc Avenger. The later could drag down the 1/4 mile in 15 seconds at 100mph from a standing start.

Kawasaki H1 500 MACH III

In 1969, Kawasaki started to develop a name for itself with bikes boasting barely adequate frames and very high performance, the start of which was the H1 model (500cc) also known as the Mach III.

The H1 was excellent for wheelies due to its backward weight bias and powerful but peaky motor. It gulped a lot of fuel and had a hard-core reputation. Two smaller versions were also released, the S1 (250cc) and the S2 (350cc). In 1972, a bigger version of the original was produced called H2 or Mach IV (748cc).

Production stopped when emissions rules got too strict in the mid 70’s and four-stroke motorcycles such as the Honda CB750Four and Kawasaki's own legendary Z1/Z900/Z1000 bikes came to be seen as more socially responsible and sophisticated.

The "Grean Meanies" were no more. Today however, they have a rather large and rabid cult following.

After the relative success of the A-series twins and the W-series 650, Kawasaki were desperate to capture the world market for high performance motorcycles. After a brief flirtation with a 500 twin two stroke in 1967, they decided instead to go with a three cylinder design. The result, the 500 MACH III H1 model.

The introduction of the H1 in September 1968 was to cause quite a storm in the motorcycle world. This fire breathing, screaming two stroke would produce 60 bhp and reach nearly 120 mph. Kawasaki claimed a standing quarter in 12.4 seconds and were quick to sell the H1 on it's unbelievable performance. Just as well because this bike was more than a handful in anything but a straight line. The H1 was soon to become known as the 'triple with the ripple'.

Were you man enough to tame this bucking bronco? Many riders tried and failed!

What a shot! Amazing that you consider the Kawasaki 500 MachIII was considered a brute, but it looks just like a work of industrial art here.

1969 MACH 111 H1-500

The original H1 was also known in Japan as the 500SS. It was available in Midnight White or Peacock Grey, The white option being the most popular. Capacitor Discharge Ignition was fitted along with a twin leading front drum brake. The front and rear fender were polished stainless steel. The five speed gearbox was strange in the respect that the gears were all up with neutral at the bottom. The gear change shaft was double ended to allow the owner to either have a right or left side gear change. This was to appeal to British bike enthusiasts and perhaps convert them to a 'rice burner'. An option of high or low handlebars was offered. The fuel tap was an automatic diaphram type, a first for Kawasaki.

1970 H1-500

The 1970 model had very few changes except for the colour and markings. It was now available in only one colour option, candy red. The gold piping on the seat cover was changed to black and the rear grab rail was slightly modified.

1971 H1-A

The 1971 H1-A was different in quite a few departments. The colour was now changed to Candy Blue but the fuel tank was now re-shaped to not include the previous cut out knee grips on the side of the tank. The MACH 111 500 badge was dropped in favour of vinyl decals. This design was used on all 1971 Kawasaki models. The chain guard was now finished in black instead of chrome. Some models, especially the UK model, were now fitted with conventional points and condensers instead of the CDI system because of problems with radio interference.

1972 H1-B

The 1972 model was offered in Pearl Candy Orange with the now famous stripped pattern. The petrol cap was now a chrome locking type and the seat cover was now ribbed instead of just a plain cover. The front and rear fender was now colour matched to the rest of the paintwork and the tail light lens shape was modified.
A single disk brake was fitted at the front and the front forks, clocks, handlebar controls, footrests and indicators were all re-designed. The rear brake panel was now finished in black and the outer engine cases were now polished instead of being painted silver grey. In an effort to reduce noise, the mufflers, baffles and air cleaner system were also modified. All the control cables were now finished in black instead of grey. A hydraulic steering damper was now fitted as well as the previous friction unit in an effort to improve the handling.

Check out the speedometer here. It reads just 37 kilometers travelled! Maybe, maybe not. Looks good enough for me though.

1972/1973 H1-C

This was a strange period in the life of the H1. Officially there was no H1-C but it would seem that Kawasaki were having one of their 'parts bin clearouts' and a reported one thousand models appeared with bits of everything on them. There was an H1-B with a front drum brake, another with a white paintjob, just like the 1972 S1-250, some with a disk brake and some with a drum brake. There were also reports of a red H1-B and even an H1-A with a disk brake. Has anybody got any hard facts on this rare model?

1973 H1-D

This was a major change of design for Kawasaki. The colour options were both green: a Candy Lime green or a darker Candy Green. A lot of discussion and confusion is evident on these colours, but as I see it, Europe got the darker green while the states got the lime green. Nearly everything was changed on the H1-D except for the engine. The CDI system from the H2 model was now fitted and the exhausts and air cleaner system was once again modified to improve social acceptability!!!. The exhausts were now a one-piece affair with no connecting rubber between the down pipe and silencer. Major changes to the rest of the bike included the bodywork, seat, fenders, instruments, rear shocks and electrics. The two steering dampers were now dropped with a modified hydraulic item being offered as an option. The overall shape of the H1-D was to become the basis of all the triples in the Kawasaki range for many years to come.

I always thought the white paint looked nicest on the big Kawasaki 2-stroke. Gives it that elegant look this fella below is clearly enjoying.

1974 H1-E

The H1-E was offered in two colours, Candy Green or Candy Red. The green proved to be the most popular. Once again the CDI system was changed and check valves were added to the front of the crankcases. The mufflers, seat, handlebars controls, instruments and side panel emblems were modified as was the rear shocks and footrests. The engine was now rubber mounted using a series of rubber clad bushes.
The green H1-E seems to be the most popular with riders and restorers all over the world.

1975 H1-F

The H1-F was offered in either Candy Sky Blue or Candy Brown. The blue was very popular while the brown was avoided like the plague!!. Very few differences were evident on this model. A decal was added to the tailpiece and the shape of the tank decal was also changed. The side panel decals were finished in white instead of chrome and the footrests were once again changed. Other small discreet changes to the controls and instruments were also evident. Because of this many people get the H1-E and the H1-F confused.

Go easy man. Starbucks is just around the corner!

1976 KH500-A8

1976 was a big year for Kawasaki for many reasons. They changed the way they described their models throughout their entire range of bikes. KH stood for 'KAWASAKI HIGHWAY'. The KH was offered in two colours, Burgundy or Copper. Major changes included a three-way fuse system, a locking fuel cap and the use of the modified braking system that was also being used on the Z900-A4. The gear change was changed to the normal one down and four up system. Changes were also made to the front forks, front wheel, handlebar grips, footrests and head lamp. The lamp was now the seven-inch item that was also fitted to the 750 and 900 models.
Emission control requirements in America was spelling the end of the road for the two-stroke engine and Kawasaki knew all to well that the end was nigh.

IN A LAST ditch attempt to comply, they modified the mufflers and air cleaner system yet again. The use of these restrictive parts and smaller jets in the carbs strangled the performance of this once mighty 'superbike' and the KH500 became a shadow of it's former self, producing only 52 BHP. The handling was much improved over the earlier models but no one bought an H1 for it's handling, only for raw, unashamed power and this was now sadly missing. The H1 was at last doomed to disaster becoming just another universal Japanese motorcycle. Even to this day the KH is often referred to as the runt of the litter even though it was probably the best of the 500 models.

...and this is what the Mach III would look like after I gave the Kawasaki 2-stroke a tune-up!

Kawasaki H2-750 Mach IV

These words from the excellent UK website Z-POWER.CO.UK.

Kawasaki were more than impressed with the success of the 500 triple so it was only natural to follow it up with a big brother, the H2-750 MACH IV.
In an age when bigger was better, the H2 was the ultimate stroker. 74 bhp was on tap giving a top speed of 126 mph and acceleration second to none. The H2 would pull wheelies in the first three gears without even trying, much to the amazement and downfall of many owners. The H2 put the 'bad' back into motorcycling.
In the UK, more than one insurance company refused to insure them giving the H2 a reputation that would last forever. In Japan the H2 was known as the 750SS.

1971/1972 H2-750 MACH IV

The first model H2 was offered in two colours, Candy Blue or Candy Gold. Only the blue option made it to the UK. The front fender was painted to match the rest of the bike. CDI ignition was used to provide the sparks, powered by the magneto and not the battery, while the five speed gearbox, all up like the early 500 H1, was a beefed up version of the 500 box with a stronger clutch assembly. Three 30mm carbs provided the extra fuel and an updated two stroke oil pump was fitted to lube the bigger crankshaft. Two steering dampers were fitted, one friction and one hydraulic, but the handling was still a bit suspect to say the least! The front disk brake was the same one that was also fitted to the H1-B 500. Kawasaki also offered an optional additional right hand brake set up and many owners did indeed fit it. The large rear drum brake was more than adequate for the H2 and was later used on the Z1 models. A first for Kawasaki was the fitting of an oiler for the rear drive chain. This was a manual plunger type, which Kawasaki recommended using every 200 miles. The very first models had a plastic head lamp shell which was later changed to metal. The styling of the H2 was used on many other models in the Kawasaki range and even today it still looks fresh and purposeful.

1973 H2-A

Once again two colours were offered, Candy Gold or Candy Purple. But again only one came to the UK, the gold option. The front fender was now chromed instead of painted and the side panel emblems were now metal badges instead of stickers. The rear fender was changed and a holder for a spare set of plugs was fitted into the tailpiece. Other small discreet differences were made to the fuel cap, seat lock and instruments.

1974 H2-B

Quite a few differences were made in 1974. Two colour options was offered, Candy Gold or Candy Green. The whole shape of the bike was changed to keep it in line with the H1-E and the new S3-400. Major changes were made to the instruments, frame, seat, bodywork, footrest, stands, fenders, handlebar controls, rear shocks, electrics, fuel cap and the tail light. The rear swing arm was lengthened to improve handling and in an effort to reduce the wheelie factor!. The engine was fitted with the crankcase check valves from the H1E and the crankshaft, cylinders and pistons were slightly changed. The two-stroke oil pump was also re-designed to a four-outlet type. The pump now fed a three into one pipe to the rear of the crankcases for lubrication to the crank and three more pipes directly to the float bowls of each carb to feed the cylinders. The exhaust system was modified and the silencers were now longer and rounder and rubber mounted at the rear. Some models, especially American bikes, were produced with a one-piece exhaust pipe and round holes in the crankcases presumably to accept rubber bushes. Strangely enough only metal bushes were actually fitted. The green bike was very popular while the brown and gold bike was once again avoided. The friction steering damper was now dropped but the hydraulic one remained.

1975 H2-C

The H2-C was offered in two colours, both very popular. Owners could chose from either Candy Super Red or Candy Purple. The fuel tank was now longer so the seat was made shorter to give the H2-C a longer sleeker appearance. The steering damper was moved from the right side to the left side of the frame and small changes were made to the instruments, grabrail, rear shocks, side panel badges and exhaust mountings. The purple bike has proved very popular with restorers all over the world. Kawasaki replaced the H2 with a 750 twin four-stroke at the end of 1975, not a good move but emission controls in the states would not allow the triples to continue pumping out their polluting gases for much longer. Gone but not forgotten, the legend of the H2 will live forever.

The H2 continued to be raced all over the world for a number of years after this, even getting a water cooled motor and many countries have a 'Triple Owner's Club' where the H2 plays a very important part. The H2 was perhaps the second most important motorcycle in Kawasaki's history, after the grand master of course, the mighty Z1-900.

Mike Carpenter from California wrote recently with a request to share his memories of his childhood best friend Guy Lindenberger and their common enthusiasm for motorbikes of all sorts.

And above all, their great friendship. It's a touching ode to a long lost friend and their shared experience, and Mikes' quest to get this legendary model 1970 Kawasaki H1 500 back to pristine condition. I'll let Mike tell the story...

"Restoration of memories 1970 to 2015

This story started in 1966 about a mile and a half from where I have retired to. I am a 62 year old retired aerospace engineer living in Hunting Beach, California.

I am not a collector and this would most likely be my first and last restoration as I spared no expense.
I was considering building a bobber when this project dropped into my lap late March of 2014. The decision to do this restoration was a NO brainer. I had to do this as a memorial to my childhood best friend Guy Lindenberger, his family and friends.

Guy and I discovered a common interest for all things with two wheels on our first day in the 8th grade back in 1966. We were 14, lived 2 streets from each other, owned mini bikes, and had plenty of open fields to ride in.

Motor cycles became the common thread of a long friendship that would take use through many adventures into our early 30’s.

Guy’s passing in July of 1984 at the age of 31 was the result of a job related accident in Redding, California that left behind his son Jake (age 2) and wife, Susie. Some 30 years later Jake and I were reminiscing about his dad. I told him stories about our high school Kawasaki 500 adventures.

Turning back the clock to 1970, Leaded Premium Gas was $0.26 a gallon and a Kawasaki Mach III was $995.95. When we learned Kawasaki had introduced the fastest street bike on the planet in September of 1968, we knew we had to have one. We got jobs as box boys in a super market our freshmen year of high school working after school and on weekends.

By the time we were juniors in high school (age 17) we had saved the cash we needed to purchase the bikes. It seemed like an eternity. Our two wheel adventure would graduate from dirt to the street, provided we could convince our parents that we were responsible riders.

We had kept our plans under wraps. We counted on their lack of understanding motorcycle technology at that time and our good behavior would most likely be our ticket. Guy bought this bike in March and I bought mine in May of 1970.

All thought about a month later my Dad was brought up to speed by a coworker as the motor cycle media mayhem was having a field day with Kawasaki’s 500 cc entry into the US. My Dad and I had a very pointed talk about my future riding experience if speeding tickets or injury became an issue.

At the end of my story telling Jake disclosed to me that his dad’s 500 had been stored in Ray’s barn in Redding, California all this time. Apparently Jakes mom sold the bike to an individual that decided to take advantage of the newly widowed mother of one and refused to pay up.

Ray, Guy’s cousin, upon learning of this, went to this man’s place and found the guy in the process of stripping the bike. Ray collected the bike and related parts and then placed it in his horse barn, where it sat for the past 30 years with 60 other bikes. To think I was looking into building a Bobber when Jake suggested I restore his dad’s bike. Was it kismet?
In April of 2014 my buddy Allen and I set out on a road trip to Redding, California to reconnect with old friends, collect the H1 and get in a little fly fishing.

I hadn’t seen Reina & Ray’s place since they were under construction. Man how things had changed. Over the years Ray had collected motor cycles, mostly dirt bikes, all sitting in his barn under a thick layer of dust.

In his youth he raced desert and moto cross. He still has every bike he rode and then some. I think there may be a project among his collection if I can get him to let one go.
I decided to keep the 500 as close to original with a few exceptions. I set out validating and recording every part coming off the bike against historical documentation I found on line, through contacts and group sites.

It took about three weeks to disassemble, inspect and bag/tag each part. Fortunately, the bike was very complete, original, and the engine turned over. Once I knew the condition of parts and what was missing I began the restoration process.

Arguably, the process of looking for vendors to restore metal finishes, repairing bent and damaged parts, and procurement of missing and un-restorable parts was tedious, but exciting, as piece by piece old became new again.
It took me 3 months and untold hours of internet searching and negotiation to find missing or needed replacement parts. Finding OEM and NOS parts was time consuming, but surprisingly, the long metal processing time (specifically the chrome plating) pushed the restoration out to 14 months to complete.

Resources in Orange County, California are abundant. The OC is the home of many custom car and bike builders such as Chip Foose and Roland Sands.

As a first timer, I found that the internet made the process timelier as I was able to assess information and talk with other enthusiasts.

The engine/ transmission, as well as the nearly perfect color match of the paint, were restored by local enthusiasts I found through a vendor that has one of the largest private Kawasaki collections in Southern California.

Brock and his Dad of Z1parts.net were very helpful. The fact that they had 2 unrestored examples of 1970’s in their collection provided me a base line with which to follow.

As can be seen in the pictures I have chromed engine casings, hubs, fasteners and covered the period correct gray cables. Chrome plating of engine covers, wheel hubs and all of the original fasteners is something Guy and I talked about if we had the money back in the day.

We would have added high performance parts as they became available such as Denco products. But our limited income became diverted as we started dating.

With girls in the picture, bikes became impractical (no back seat if you get my drift). I sold mine in 72 but Guy was able to hang on to his over the years.
With the exception of some heavier springs added to the clutch to avoid high rpm slippage common with these bikes, I did not add any other performance parts.

This bike is nearly all correct. You can see I have covered the cables with black braided wire shielding to give it a more current custom appearance.

The bike runs great and attracts a lot of attention. The bike took popular vote at its first showing August 9th at the Vintage Bike OC meet, held every second Sunday here in Orange County, California.
I am very happy to have taken this project on. For the Lindenberger family and myself it has been a time capsule of many memories.

The bike will be on display at the Automotive Museum in San Diego’s Balboa Park for 2016. They have an excellent collection of motorcycles there that I would encourage all enthusiasts to check out."

Mike Carpenter

11/25/15

It's a beautifully told and heartfelt story Mike, and the 1970 Kawasaki H1 500 you've resurrected is a splendid, high quality restoration without a doubt. Thanks for sharing it with us all.